(Phoenix AZ) The Sprocket Vault announces its DVD release of the1928 silent serial THE MYSTERIOUS AIRMAN, a ten-part “SuperChapterplay of the Air” starring silent era-serial superstar WalterMiller and Eugenia Gilbert produced by the long-lasting PovertyRow Producers, The Weiss Brothers.

Featuring vintage biplanes and exciting action, THE MYSTERIOUSAIRMAN was the last silent serial produced by The Weiss Brothersand one of the last silent serials ever produced. Thought to be a “lost”film, Producer Kit Parker, who purchased the holdings of WeissGlobal International in 2004, was approached by film archivist, JeffJoseph of SabuCat Productions, who offered to loan a near-completeoriginal 35mm tinted nitrate print which was missing only the firstreel of Chapter Nine. The print was lovingly restored and transferred(recreating the missing reel from stills and plot synopses), and a newpiano score was commissioned from ace silent film accompanistDr. Andrew Simpson, main accompanist of the Library of CongressPackard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia.

The Sprocket Vault’s DVD release of THE MYSTERIOUS AIRMAN also features a complete andcomprehensive commentary track by noted film historian Richard M. Roberts. He weaves a story aboutthe production and the people involved, from stars Miller and Gilbert, co-stars like Robert Walker andDorothy Talcott to Director Harry Revier and the production staff of Weiss Brothers-Artclass Pictures, afamily of low-budget film producers whose filmmaking operations kept them in business from the 1910sup to the 1990s, outlasting some of Hollywood’s major studios.

The Sprocket Vault’s release of THE MYSTERIOUS AIRMAN heralds an important rediscovery infilm history, as few silent serials exist today in anything resembling complete form, much less in lovelytinted original print quality. It’s a fun, light-hearted cliffhanger that shows the joys of Saturday Matineemoviegoing and what could be done on less-than-spectacular budgets as well as illustrating the early daysof flying, seat of your pants filmmaking from the seat of your pants days of Aviation.

WHAT WAS ONCE LOST, IS NOW FOUND...After 89-Years, Silent Serial Makes Its DVD Debut!

The MYSTERIOUS AIRMAN

DVD and Special Features Produced by Kit Parker and Richard M. Roberts

BONUS FEATURES:DVD BASICS:Retail: $24.99Amazon Price: $19.99Language: English title cardsRunning Time: 185 minutesColor: Original color tintsYear: 1928Rating: Not RatedAspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – 4X3Audio: Music Score - Dolby Digital Stereo1. “Flying Cadets” (1928) 2-reel short with great vintage plane shots filmed at Brooks Field, TX2. New York Censor Board File (some scenes were required to be cut for the serial to be shown in theState of New York!)3. Gallery of original posters and lobby cards